Lexus - Luxury Sedans, SUVs, Hybrids, and Performance Cars ©2006-2017 Lexus, a Division of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. All information contained herein applies to U.S. vehicles only. Notice for Internet Explorer® Users To ensure your experience on lexus.com is as exceptional as our vehicles, we no longer support Internet Explorer® Version 10 and older. We do, however, support Version 11 and other browsers. Click here to upgrade your current browser or, to install a new one, select a link below. LEXUS Car Manufacturer: Find Out It's Origins And More Bringing you the Latest News, Entertainment and More LEXUS Car Manufacturer: Find Out It’s Origins And More Lexus is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation. It was founded in 1989 and has become Japan’s largest-selling make of premium cars. The division’s world headquarters are located in Toyota, Aichi, Japan, with operational centers in Brussels, Belgium, and Torrance, California and the United States.

Creating Lexus In 1983, Toyota chairman Eiji Toyoda summoned a secret meeting of company executives, to whom he posed the question, “Can we create a luxury vehicle to challenge the world’s best?” This question prompted Toyota to embark on a top-secret project, code-named F1 (“Flagship” + “No. 1 vehicle”). The F1 project, whose finished product was ultimately the Lexus LS 400, aimed to develop a flagship sedan that would expand Toyota’s product line, giving it a foothold in the premium segment and offering both longtime and new customers an upmarket product. The F1 project followed the success of the Toyota Supra sports car and the premium Toyota Cressida models. Both the Supra and Cressida were rear-wheel drive cars with a powerful 7M-GE/7M-GTE engine. The opportunity for Japanese manufacturers to export more expensive models had arisen with the 1980s voluntary export restraints, negotiated by the Japanese government and U.S. trade representatives, restricting mainstream car sales. In 1986, Honda launched its Acura marque in the U.S., influencing Toyota’s plans for a luxury division.

Around the same time, Nissan would unveil plans to create its own premium brand, Infiniti, while Mazda also considered developing an upscale marque, to be called Amati. Toyota researchers visited the U.S. in May 1985 to conduct focus groups and market research on luxury consumers. During that time, several F1 designers rented a home in Laguna Beach, California to observe the lifestyles and tastes of American upper-class consumers. Toyota’s market research concluded that a separate brand and sales channel were needed to present its new flagship sedan, and plans were made to develop a new network of dealerships in the U.S. market. Choosing A Name In 1986, Toyota’s longtime advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi formed a specialized unit, Team One, to handle marketing for the new premium brand. Image consulting firm Lippincott & Margulies was hired to develop a list of 219 prospective names; Vectre, Verone, Chaparel, Calibre and Alexis were chosen as top candidates. While Alexis quickly became the front runner it later morphed to Lexus.

This name has been attributed to the combination of the words “luxury” and “elegance,” and another theory claims it is an acronym for “luxury exports to the U.S.” According to Team One interviews, the name has no specific meaning and simply denotes a luxurious and technological image. Just prior to the release of the first vehicles, database service LexisNexis obtained a temporary injunction forbidding the name Lexus from being used as they stated it might cause confusion. The injunction threatened to delay the division’s launch and marketing efforts. Upon reflection, a U.S. appeals court lifted the injunction, deciding that there was little likelihood of confusion between the two products. The original Lexus slogan, developed after Team One representatives visited Lexus designers in Japan and noted their obsessive attention to detail, became “The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection.” The Lexus logo was developed by Molly Designs and Hunter Communications. The final design for the Lexus logo featured a stylized “L” within an oval, and according to Toyota, was rendered using a precise mathematical formula. The first teaser ads featuring the Lexus name and logo, designed by Team One, appeared at the Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York auto shows in 1988.

Launch In 1989, Lexus showcased the smoothness of its V8 engines by placing champagne glasses on the hood of a revving LS 400. In 1989, after an extended development process involving 60 designers, 24 engineering teams, 1,400 engineers, 2,300 technicians, 220 support workers, around 450 prototypes, and over 1-billion US dollars in costs, the F1 project was completed. The Lexus LS 400, had a unique design that shared no major elements with any previous Toyota vehicles and its rear-wheels were driven by an all new 4.0 Liter V8 engine. The LS 400 had its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The following September, Lexus vehicles officially went on sale at a network of 81 new Lexus dealerships across the U.S. The launch of Lexus was heralded by a multi-million dollar advertising campaign in both television and print media.

At its launch, the LS 400 was widely praised for its quietness, well-appointed and ergonomic interior, engine performance, build quality, aerodynamics, fuel economy, and value, although it was criticized by some automobile columnists for derivative styling and a suspension regarded as too compromising of handling for ride comfort. The LS 400 started at US$38,000 in the U.S. and was rated by Car and Driver magazine as better than both the US$63,000 Mercedes-Benz 420 SEL and the US$55,000 BMW 735i in terms of ride, handling, and performance. The LS 400 also won major motoring awards from publications including Automobile Magazine and Wheels Magazine. The launch of Lexus had a shocking impact on BMW and Mercedes-Benz’s U.S. sales, figures dropped 29% and 19%, respectively, with BMW executives accusing Lexus of dumping in that market. In December 1989, Lexus initiated a voluntary recall of all 8,000 LS 400s sold to date, based upon two customer complaints over defective wiring and an overheated brake light.

In a sweeping 20-day operation which replaced the parts on all affected vehicles, Lexus sent technicians to pick up, repair, and return cars to customers free of charge, and also flew in personnel and rented garage space for owners in remote locations. This response was lauded in media publications and helped establish the marque’s early reputation for customer service. By the end of 1989, 16,392 LS 400 and ES 250 sedans had been sold in the four months following the U.S. launch. Although sales had begun at a slower pace than expected, the final tally matched the division’s target of 16,000 units for that year. Following the initial models, plans called for the addition of a sports coupe along with a redesigned ES sedan. Growth and expansion In 1990, during its first full year of sales, Lexus sold 63,594 LS 400 and ES 250 sedans in the U.S., the vast majority being the LS model. That year, Lexus also began limited exports to the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Canada, and Australia.

In 1991, Lexus launched its first sports coupe, the SC 400, which shared the LS 400’s V8 engine and rear-wheel drive design. This was followed by the second generation ES 300 sedan, which succeeded the ES 250 and became Lexus’s top seller. At the conclusion of 1991, Lexus had become the top-selling luxury car import in the U.S., with sales reaching a total of 71,206 vehicles. That year, Lexus ranked highest in J.D. Power and Associates’ studies on initial vehicle quality, customer satisfaction, and sales satisfaction. The marque also began increasing U.S. model prices past those of comparable American premium makes, but still below high-end European models. By 1992, the LS 400′s base price had risen 18% to nearly US$45,000. In 1993, Lexus launched the GS line, that was based on the Toyota Aristo, which had sold for two years prior in Japan. The GS 300 sports sedan was priced below the LS 400 in the marque’s lineup.

That same year, Lexus also became one of the first marques to debut a certified pre-owned program, with the aim of improving trade-in model values. In 1994, the marque introduced the second generation LS 400, a complete redesign of its flagship model. In May 1995, sales were threatened by the U.S. government’s proposal of 100% tariffs on Japanese luxury cars in response to the widening U.S.-Japan trade deficit. SUVs were exempt from the proposed sanctions. Normal sales operations resumed by late 1995 when the Japanese auto manufacturers collectively agreed to greater American investments, and the tariffs were not enacted. In 1996, Lexus debuted its first sport utility vehicle, the LX 450. The marque’s plans for developing an SUV model had accelerated during the U.S.-Japan tariff discussions of 1995. In 1998, Lexus added the first luxury-branded crossover SUV, the RX 300, and the second generation GS 300 and GS 400 sedans. The RX crossover targeted suburban buyers who desired an upmarket SUV but did not need off-road capability and it was particularly successful.

By year’s end, the RX 300 had become the marque’s top-selling model, ahead of the ES 300. In 1999, Lexus recorded its one-millionth vehicle sold in the U.S. market, and was ranked the top-selling luxury automobile make in the U.S. overall. Hybrids and F models In 2000, Lexus introduced a new entry-level sedan, the IS 300. In 2001, the marque debuted its first convertible, the SC 430, and the third generation LS 430. The GX 470 mid-size SUV debuted in 2002, followed by the second generation RX 330 in 2003. In 2004, Lexus recorded its two-millionth U.S. vehicle sale. The following year, Lexus debuted the first luxury-branded production hybrid SUV, the RX 400h. The vehicle used a Lexus Hybrid Drive system which combined gasoline and electric motors for increased power, fuel efficiency, and lower emissions relative to gasoline-only equivalents.

In 2005, Lexus completed a full organizational separation from parent company Toyota, with dedicated design, engineering, training, and manufacturing centers working exclusively for the division. This effort coincided with Lexus’s launch in its home market of Japan and an expanded global launch of the brand in major world markets. Executives aimed to grow the marque’s sales outside of its largest market in the U.S. The next generation IS, GS, and LS sedans were subsequently designed as “global models” for worldwide markets. In 2006, Lexus unveiled the GS 450h, a V6 hybrid performance sedan, along with the fourth generation flagship LS line, comprising both standard and long-wheelbase V8 (LS 460 and LS 460 L) and hybrid (LS 600h and LS 600h L) versions. The LS 600h L subsequently went on sale as the most expensive luxury sedan ever produced in Japan, with a sticker price of approximately US$125,000. Lexus sales reached 475,000 vehicles worldwide during 2006.

In 2007, Lexus announced a new F marque performance division, which would produce racing-inspired versions of its performance models. The first of this line, the IS F, made its debut at the 2007 North American International Auto Show, accompanied by a supercar concept, the LF-A. By the end of 2007, Lexus’ annual U.S. sales had risen to 329,177 vehicles, and total worldwide sales reached 500,000 vehicles. In 2008, amidst the global recession, U.S. sales dropped 21% to 260,087, and worldwidel sales fell 16% to 435,000. In mid-2009, the marque launched the HS 250h, a dedicated hybrid sedan for North America and Japan. The RX 450h, the second generation hybrid SUV replaced the earlier RX 400h, and later that year debuted the US$375,000 production LFA supercar.

In terms of volume, Lexus was the number-one-selling luxury car marque in the historically largest automotive market for the past decade and ranked as the fourth-largest luxury car brand in the world by volume. Recent developments At the beginning of 2010, Lexus underwent a gradual sales recovery in North America and Asia as the marque focused on adding hybrids and new model derivatives. Sales in the U.S. for the first half of 2010 held steady during the 2009–2010 Toyota vehicle recalls, several of which included Lexus models. The ES 350 and certain IS models were affected by a recall for potentially jamming floor mats; the New York Times found more federal acceleration reports per-vehicle for the marque versus parent company Toyota, while NPR determined the reports to be generally rare, with comparable rates at multiple makes. The redesigned GX 460 was also voluntarily recalled in April 2010 for a software update, one week after Consumer Reports issued a recommendation not to buy the SUV following the slow stability control response to a high-speed emergency turn. Although it knew of no reported incidents, the U.S.

publication warned of a possible rollover risk, and the GX 460 received updated stability control software. At the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, Lexus introduced the CT 200h, a compact four-door hybrid hatchback initially designed for the European market. The CT 200h was scheduled to go on sale in Europe in the latter half of 2010, with exports to follow in the U.S. and other regions worldwide. How The Models Are Named Lexus production models are named alphanumerically using two-letter designations followed by three digits. The first letter indicates relative status in the Lexus model range (ranking), and the second letter refers to car body style or type (e.g. LS for ‘luxury sedan’). The three digits indicate engine displacement in liters multiplied by a factor of one hundred (e.g. 350 for a 3.5 L engine). A space is used between the letters and numbers. The same letter may be used differently depending on the model; ‘S’ can refer to ‘sedan’ or ‘sport’ (e.g. in LS and SC), while ‘X’ refers to ‘luxury utility vehicle’ or SUV.

On hybrids, the three digits refer to the combined gas-electric output. For certain models, a lower case letter placed after the alphanumeric designation indicates powerplant type (‘h’ for hybrid, ‘d’ for diesel), while capital letter(s) placed at the end indicates a class subtype (e.g. ‘L’ for long-wheelbase, ‘C’ for coupe, ‘AWD’ for all-wheel drive). On F marque models, the two-letter designation and the letter ‘F’ are used with no numbers or hyphens (e.g. IS F). Design and Technology Lexus design has traditionally placed an emphasis on targeting specific vehicle development standards. Since the marque’s inception, design targets have ranged from aerodynamics and ride quality to interior ergonomics. The backronym “IDEAL” (“Impressive, Dynamic, Elegant, Advanced, and Lasting”) is used in the development process. Each vehicle is designed according to approximately 500 specific product standards, known as “Lexus Musts,” on criteria such as leather seat stitching.

In 2006, Lexus incorporated the first production eight-speed automatic transmission in an automobile with the LS 460 and the gearbox was later adapted for the GS 460 and IS F models. Continuously variable transmissions, regenerative brakes, and electric motors have been used on all Lexus hybrid models. In 2007, Lexus executives signaled intentions to equip further models with hybrid powertrains, catering to demands for a decrease in both carbon pollution and oil reliance. Hybrid models have been differentiated by separate badging and lighting technology; in 2008, the LS 600h L became the first production vehicle to use LED headlamps. Safety features on Lexus models range from stability and handling programs (Vehicle Stability Control and Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management) to backup cameras, swivel headlights, and sonar warning systems. The Lexus Pre-Collision System (PCS) integrates multiple safety systems. In 2007, Lexus introduced the first car safety systems with infrared pedestrian detection capabilities, lane keep assist, a Driver Monitoring System with facial recognition monitoring of driver attentiveness, and a rear pre-collision whiplash protection system.

As a safety precaution, Lexus GPS navigation systems in many regions feature a motion lockout when the vehicle reaches a set speed; to prevent distraction, navigation inputs are limited, while voice input and certain buttons are still accessible. This safety feature has attracted criticism because passengers cannot use certain functions when the vehicle is in motion. Pre-2007 models came with a hidden manufacturer override option and updated European models allow operation in motion. Production Many Lexus vehicles are manufactured in Toyota’s flagship Tahara plant, a highly sophisticated, computerized manufacturing plant in Japan. Lexus production techniques include methods and standards of quality control that differ from Toyota models. At the Tahara plant, separate assembly lines were developed for Lexus vehicles, along with new molds and specialized manufacturing equipment. Welding processes, body panel fit tolerances, and paint quality requirements are more stringent. Lexus plant workers, typically veteran technicians, are identified via repeated performance evaluations and ranked according to skill grade, with limited applicants accepted. The highest level takumi (Japanese for “artisan”) engineers are responsible for maintaining production standards at key points in the assembly process, such as testing engine performance. Production vehicles are given visual inspections for flaws, individually test-driven at high speeds, and subjected to vibration tests.

The North American–market RX 350 (since the 2004 model year) is produced in the city of Cambridge, in Ontario, Canada, which is the first Lexus production site located outside of Japan. In addition to the Tahara factory, Lexus vehicles have been produced at the Miyata plant (Toyota Motor Kyushu) in Miyawaka, Fukuoka, the Higashi Fuji plant (Kanto Auto Works) in Susono, Shizuoka, and the Sanage plant (Toyota Boshoku; Araco) in Toyota, Aichi. All front-wheel drive cars, such as the ES and HS, are produced at the Miyata plant. Through the late 2000s, most sedan and SUV production occurs in Japan at the Tahara plant in Aichi and Miyata plant in Fukuoka. In 2005, J.D. Power and Associates bestowed its Platinum award for worldwide plant quality on the Tahara plant for the fourth consecutive year, stating that it has the fewest defects of any manufacturing plant in the world. In 2006, J.D.

Power named the Miyata plant, then the site of ES and IS model production, as its recipient of the Platinum award for worldwide plant quality and in 2009 the Higashi Fuji plant, site of SC production, received the same recognition. J.D. Power has named Lexus the most reliable brand in the U.S. fourteen times since 1995, according to its Vehicle Dependability Survey of over 53,000 vehicle owners and the first three years of ownership. In the 2000s, Consumer Reports also named Lexus among the top five most reliable brands in its Annual Car Reliability Surveys of over one million vehicles across the U.S. **** Definition of 'luxury car' has changed – USATODAY.com By Dan MacMedan,, USA TODAY Robin Steinberg, of Malibu, Calif., shops for a Lexus at Jim Falk Lexus in Beverly Hills, Calif. Sponsored Links And enough people do it that December is usually a strong sales month.

But you begin to wonder what defines a "luxury" car when you see that one Lexus red-bow TV ad features the CT 200h hatchback, which starts at a tick less than $30,000. You can buy well-equipped versions of such mainstream sedans as Ford Fusion , Honda Accord , Toyota Camry for $30,000 to $35,000. What makes one vehicle "luxury" and another one not? USA TODAY invited four luxury-car executives — representing Asian, European and Detroit makers with widely varying approaches to luxury selling — to a roundtable session exploring the new definition of luxury. They agree that traditional measures, though still in the mix, matter less. But they disagree on what has taken the place of the old standards that once clearly separated luxury cars from family buggies. "The definition of luxury changed. Luxury was size, space, comfort, presence," says Don Butler, marketing manager for General Motors' Cadillac brand. Now, luxury is defined more by "the feel of the vehicle," he says. "The difference is not just price," says Brian Smith , vice president in charge of marketing for Toyota's Lexus brand.

He says luxury has to do with the overall experience — the car, the dealer, the reputation of the brand, the satisfaction of owning a certain brand. "Emotion" distinguishes a luxury car from a mainstreamer, insists Ludwig Willisch, president of BMW of North America . Time saved and hassles reduced are the essence of a luxury appeal, says Steve Shannon , vice president of marketing for Hyundai Motor America. To some extent, the definitions of luxury recall the famous description of pornography: You know it when you see it. The four executives met here to answer questions from the USA TODAY auto team about the challenges of selling luxury cars at a time when $20,000 economy cars offer heated front and rear seats, automatic parallel parking, voice controls and "connectivity" that links you to seemingly everything but the planet Mars. The four brands at the table cover a wide range within the luxury segment, from established to newcomer, triumphant to struggling, domestic to import. They face different hurdles as they work their way back from a ruinous recession in 2009. Those differences help shape their views.

•Cadillac is a well-established name, but the image was tarnished by watered-down models, such as the infamous Chevrolet Cavalier knockoff called Cimarron in the 1980s. "I would be foolish to say the Cimarron wasn't a mistake. It was. But having said that, we will never shortchange the product again," Butler vows. GM continues to spend robustly on vehicles and marketing to keep Cadillac's luxury image intact. A new, larger XTS sedan was unveiled at the auto show here and will go on sale in the spring. A compact ATS sedan joins Caddy's limited lineup next year to broaden the product array. Like all luxury makes, it's also fending off increasingly feature-packed models from more mainstream brands. That includes an unexpected internal rivalry with GM's Buick brand, fast moving toward a luxury image. "If you look at the Buick lineup, some vehicles definitely could be classified as luxury," Butler says.

But the Buick brand overall is more entry-level luxury, he says: "There are tiers, right?" •Hyundai often is thought of as a bargain-price brand, which makes it harder for the company to be convincing about its high-end Equus sedan, starting at about $60,000, and Genesis sedan that runs from about $35,000 to $47,000. The South Korean maker's task of differentiating mass-market models from higher-class cars is tougher because it has been a successful leader at "adding unexpected content in mainstream cars," Shannon says. Its Elantra compact sedan is the one that offers those heated front and rear seats. Luxury specialist Pam Danziger, president of Unity Marketing and author of the book Putting the Luxe Back in Luxury, calls it "blurring the line between mass and class." She says there's a lot of it going on the auto industry, making meaningful differentiation tricky. With Hyundai, the higher-end cars even share the brand name and showroom with mainstream models such as Accent, Elantra and Sonata, undercutting the exclusivity — unlike, for example, Lexus and Toyota. •Lexus, the top-selling luxury brand in the U.S.

from 2001 through 2010, saw U.S. sales tumble 16% this year. It lacked hot new models. The cars it did have were sometimes in short supply because of interruptions from the March earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Lexus plans nine new or significantly updated models by the end of 2012 and says the supply pipeline from Japan, where nearly all its vehicles are made, is back up to speed. It hopes to boost its appeal by using the more agile new models to recast the brand as one for driving enthusiasts, more like — though Lexus won't put it this way — BMW . •BMW seems to have the enviable challenge of keeping up its momentum. Its sales are up 13% this year, according to industry tracker Autodata, and it's either No. 2 in the U.S. luxury market behind Mercedes-Benz or No. 1, if you include sales of the BMW-owned Mini brand. BMW has a big hit at the moment: the redesigned X3 crossover SUV that's commanding more than window-sticker price and is built in the U.S., so production can quickly be tailored to fit demand.

Still, it has to look ahead to advanced-technology models it believes luxury buyers will demand and to field electric cars and plug-in hybrids without eroding the "ultimate driving machine" cornerstone. Because they have such different viewpoints, the luxury-car executives disagreed on the importance of many things, though they found some common ground. The role of the dealer Lexus' good name largely is based on genteel treatment of customers. Smith, not surprisingly, says luxury "is at least 50% the dealership and the experience" there. "The luxury side is people that want to come in and feel like their needs are met at the dealership … and we work hard at that." At the other extreme, Hyundai's Shannon believes the time spent at a dealership actually gets in the way of a luxury experience, so Hyundai lets them avoid it. "Equus shoppers needn't even visit the dealership. The car will be brought to their homes or offices for test drives, and picked up and dropped off for service.

That is one thing you can't get more of — time." Butler says saving time and connecting with the dealer both are part of the luxury vernacular: "We offer vehicle pickup and vehicle drop-off, as well, but there are people that want that relationship with the dealership. They want to know that it's not just a transaction. This person cares about me, this person respects me, this person looks out for me, as well." Willisch, though reluctant to dismiss the dealer's role, says the cars are most important: "I would rather say, being the purveyor of the 'ultimate driving machine,' that the product is more than 50%." High-performance appeal The potential of cars to go fast and handle well is a powerful lure, the executives agree. Butler says the ATS compact Caddy, coming next year, was a clean-sheet design intended to emphasize the elements of high-performance: "Rear-wheel drive, all-around driving dynamics, all-around performance. And performance not just 0-to-60 (mph), but all-encompassing." Lexus believes exceptional performance is so important that it's banking on reinventing the brand with better-handling, quicker, crisper-feeling cars.

Hyundai, mainly focused on fuel economy in its mainstream models, isn't shy about putting robust V-8 engines in its up-level cars: 385 horsepower in the Equus, as much as 429 hp in Genesis. BMW's appeal, Willisch says, is a blend of strong power and good handling — like Caddy says it has and Lexus says it wants. Does size matter? Yes. No. Maybe. Auto researcher Edmunds.com analyst Ivan Drury says, "Americans are not alone in equating luxury and size. It's a worldwide notion." But the success of the Lexus CT 200h , a compact hatchback with a gas-electric hybrid powertrain, "shows there is a market for smaller, more-fuel-efficient luxury cars that are distinguished enough and have the right features," Drury says. Willisch says many owners of BMW's popular 3 Series compacts aren't pining for bigger cars. "Their dream is not (to move up to BMW's large) 7 Series. … They would have no problem paying $60,000 for a 3 Series. They don't want a larger car.

"What we will do is expand the (models) within the 3 Series so all these Cadillac guys don't get overexcited" about picking off potential BMW buyers with the likes of the ATS. Still, says Hyundai's Shannon: "There is an extra level of craftsmanship, refinement and, in some cases, features, and an overall presence and stance that, frankly, size often gives you that is completely unique to luxury cars." The importance of heritage Time-tested is a key selling point, but newcomer Hyundai — which rolled out Genesis as a 2009 model and Equus as a 2011 — figures it can cope. Shannon: "Clearly, in the luxury business, provenance matters, heritage matters — and those we don't have." But, he says, luxury-car fans "are not embarrassed to say they own a Hyundai. We do focus groups, and people think they're in on a secret. There is almost a club of people that hope more people don't find out" that Hyundai sells luxury sedans priced less than rivals. On the other hand, history can be a trap. "Our heritage is 109 years," Butler notes.

"People think fondly of Cadillac." Problem is, he says, "Quite often, it's the same way that they think about their grandfather. They love their grandfather, but they don't want to spend a lot of time with him." In the end, the four agreed that they can style and equip and market their models to perfection, but buyers decide what luxury is and what is worth a premium price. For more information about reprints & permissions , visit our FAQ's. To report corrections and clarifications, contact Standards Editor Brent Jones. For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com . Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections.usatoday.com . Posted | Updated USA TODAY is now using Facebook Comments on our stories and blog posts to provide an enhanced user experience. To post a comment, log into Facebook and then "Add" your comment. To report spam or abuse, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box. To find out more, read the FAQ and Conversation Guidelines .

Top viewed stories, photo galleries and community posts of the day Most popular right now: Lexus Named Top Car Brand in Consumer Reports Rankings - Bloomberg Bloomberg the Company & Its Products Bloomberg Anywhere Remote LoginBloomberg Anywhere Login Bloomberg Terminal Demo Request Bloomberg Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information, news and insight around the world. Customer Support Advertising Bloomberg Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information, news and insight around the world. Customer Support Lexus Named Top Car Brand in Consumer Reports Rankings Angela Greiling Keane Japanese car brands, led by Toyota Motor Corp.’s Lexus, took the top seven spots in Consumer Reports magazine’s annual quality rankings, as the top U.S. brand placed 14th out of 26 in the ratings. Lexus received the most points based on the scores of its eight models, all of which the magazine recommends buying. Parent-company Toyota’s namesake line tied for fourth place with Honda Motor Co.’s Acura brand. Subaru, a unit of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. that placed first among automakers last year, was second and Mazda Motor Corp.’s Mazda was third.

Consumer Reports changed its ranking system this year, breaking out brands instead of ranking automakers according to collective scores for all their lines. “We feel this is more in line with how people shop,” Rik Paul, the magazine’s automotive editor, said in an interview before the rankings were released yesterday at the National Press Club in Washington. Consumer Reports, published by Consumers Union, tests and evaluates cars for how well they drive, interior-finish quality, fuel economy and reliability. The rankings influence car buyers and are published in the magazine’s annual auto issue. Japanese brands combined to account for 36.9 percent of vehicles sold last year in the U.S., according to Autodata Corp., a researcher based in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey. General Motors Co.’s Cadillac, boosted by the CTS, was the top U.S. brand, ranking 14th. The CTS was rated above-average for reliability and called “as capable as its German rivals.” Reliability Issues The bottom six brands in the rankings were U.S.-based -- Chrysler Group LLC’s Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep; Ford Motor Co.’s Ford and Lincoln; and GM’s Buick. “The American automakers are getting better,” Paul said.

“As much as companies are improving, companies like Toyota and Honda are still raising the bar.” Chrysler accepted the criticism and said it’s working to improve its vehicles. “Although we are moving in the right direction, we’ll be the first to acknowledge that we need to improve faster,” Doug Betts, senior vice president for quality, said in an e-mail. “We’re aggressively upgrading our product lineup. For example, we’re already making significant investments to vehicles already recommended by Consumer Reports -- Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango.” MyFord Touch Ford said it’s working on improvements to infotainment and transmissions. “In North America at the moment, J.D. Power and other third-party results validate our own internal metrics showing isolated areas for improvement -- primarily with MyFord Touch and PowerShift automatic transmissions,” Wes Sherwood, a Ford spokesman, said in an e-mail. “The good news is customers already are benefiting from the updates we made to both technologies.” “Ford has had problems with reliability,” Paul said, because the company’s infotainment system is difficult to use and repair-prone. That fault “hits them twice” in rankings on the road test and reliability, he said.

Cadillac’s in-vehicle infotainment system is “following down the path of Ford and Lincoln,” Jake Fisher, director of auto testing, told reporters yesterday. “It takes a long time to do simple things.” GM is making progress, Mike Hardie, the automaker’s director of global quality strategy, said in an interview. “There’s certainly a lot of work to do, but I do believe we’re on a good track and we really want to score better,” Hardie said. ‘Glorious Things’ About 70 percent of GM’s product portfolio is turning over in the next 12 months, Hardie said. “We anticipate grand and glorious things in the future,” he said. Lexus earned praise for vehicles that are “generally quiet, plush and very reliable, though they’re rarely sporty,” the Yonkers, New York-based magazine said. “When Consumer Reports recommends 100 percent of Lexus’ line-up, it speaks volumes about our dedication to building high-quality luxury vehicles,” Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager, said in an e-mailed statement. Toyota sold 2.08 million cars and light trucks in the U.S.

last year, trailing only GM and Ford, as it expanded its Prius hybrid lineup and its Camry midsize sedan remained the nation’s best-selling car model. Audi, Volkswagen Because redesigns of Chrysler’s Dodge Ram and GM’s Chevrolet Silverado haven’t been tested, the magazine elected not to make a “best pick” among all types of pickups this year. In its place, Consumer Reports brought back the “budget car” category, choosing Hyundai Motor Co.’s Elantra as the best car for less than $20,000. Honda’s Accord won the best pick for the midsized sedan category, the top-selling vehicle class in the U.S. Volkswagen AG’s Audi A6 was the best pick for luxury cars and Bayerische Motoren Werke AG’s 328i was the best pick for sports sedans, bringing German automakers back into the best picks list for the first time in a decade. “Audi has come a long way,” Fisher said. “Five years ago, I never thought I would be talking about Audi and reliability in the same sentence or even the same paragraph.” Volkswagen, Europe’s largest carmaker, placed 16th in brand rankings.

The manufacturer has a target of overtaking Toyota and GM to become the world’s biggest carmaker by 2018. Its U.S. sales have been undeterred by poor reviews by Consumer Reports of its Jetta SE sedan, which placed last in its category of compact sedans. Deliveries of Volkswagen brand cars and SUVs surged 35 percent in the U.S. last year to 438,133, the best since 1973. The division has more than doubled its market share since 2007, to 3 percent from 1.4 percent. Consumer Reports Magazine’s Best, Worst Car by Category Electric Cars, Limited Range: Best: Ford Focus Electric. Worst: Mitsubishi i SE Sedans, Subcompact: Best: Kia Rio EX. Worst: Nissan Versa SV Hatchbacks, Subcompact: Best: Honda Fit Sport. Worst: Smart for Two Passion Sedans, Compact: Best: Subaru Impreza Premium. Worst: Volkswagen Jetta SE Hatchbacks/Wagons, Compact: Best: Volkswagen Golf TDI. Worst: Mini Cooper Clubman Sedans, Midsized: Best: Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE.

Worst: Dodge Avenger SXT Sedans, Large: Best: Chrysler 300 Limited. Worst: Ford Taurus Limited Luxury Sedans, Compact: Best: Infiniti G37 Journey. Worst: Lexus CT 200h Premium Luxury Sedans, Midsized: Best: Audi A6 3.0 Premium Plus Quattro. Worst: Lincoln MKS Luxury Sedans, Large: Best: Lexus LS 460L. Worst: Fisker Karma EcoSport Sports Cars, High-Performance: Best: BMW 135i. Worst: Chevrolet Camaro 2LT Sporty Cars: Best: Volkswagen GTI. Worst: Honda CR-Z EX Sports Cars, Roadsters: Best: Porsche Boxster 2.7. Worst: BMW Z4 sDrive28i Sports Cars, Convertibles, Four-Seat: Best: Volkswagen Eos Lux. Worst: Fiat 500C Pop Minivans: Best: Honda Odyssey EX-L. Worst: Dodge Grand Caravan R/T SUVs, Small: Best: Ford Escape Titanium. Worst: Jeep Compass Latitude SUVs, Midsized: Best: Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited.

Worst: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara SUVs, Large: Best: Chevrolet Traverse LT. Worst: GMC Yukon Hybrid Luxury SUVs, Compact: Best: BMW X3 xDrive28i. Worst: Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Pure Luxury SUVs, Midsized: Best: Lexus RX 450h. Worst: Volvo XC90 3.2 Luxury SUVs, Large: Best: Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTec. Worst: Cadillac Escalade Pickups, Compact: Best: Honda Ridgeline RTS. Worst: Toyota Tacoma Pickups, Full-Sized: Best: Toyota Tundra SR5. Worst: Nissan Titan SV Pickups, Heavy-Duty Diesel: Best: Chevrolet Silverado 2500 LTZ. Worst: Ram 2500 Laramie Source: Consumer Reports Before it's here, it's on the Bloomberg Terminal. Who Makes the Best Car Brands? - Consumer Reports Who makes the best cars?

Lexus is tops, with Acura and Audi challenging Published: February 2014 A lot can go wrong when building cars—especially ones packed with luxury features and advanced technology, such as hybrid powertrains and cutting-edge infotainment systems. That’s why it’s quite impressive that Lexus, Toyota’s luxury brand, earned the highest score in our brand report cards for the second straight year. Its models are usually quiet, comfortable, and fuel efficient, and they’re among the most reliable cars made. Following close behind Lexus, which scored 79, are two rivals: Acura, the luxury division of Honda, and Audi, Volkswagen’s luxury brand. With models that are reliable, well-finished, and somewhat sporty, Acura earned a score of 75. Audi came in at 74, thanks to its cars’ well-crafted interiors, nice handling, and good gas mileage from its range of modern, efficient engines. Plus, Audi models have shown improved reliability. Our brand report cards are intended to show which brands are making the best all-around vehicles, based on how their models perform in our comprehensive road tests and how they rate in reliability based on subscribers telling us their experiences with 1.1 million vehicles.

We calculate each brand’s overall score using an equally weighted composite of our road-test and reliability scores for each of its models that we’ve tested and for which our subscribers have provided reliability data in our Annual Auto Survey. To be included, each brand needs at least three models for which we have test and reliability data. This year we don’t have report cards for Fiat, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mini, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Ram, Scion, Smart, and Tesla because we have too few currently tested models from those makes or we lack sufficient reliability data to make a valid comparison. Here are other notable findings: Japanese brands dominated, taking seven of the top eight spots. Following the three highest-scoring are Subaru, Toyota, Mazda, Honda, and Infiniti. The only Japanese brand that wasn’t in the upper half is Nissan, which ranks 18th out of the 23 makes in our analysis. At the other end of the spectrum, Jeep and Ford tied for the lowest score. Jeep has a mix of spotty reliability and mediocre road-test results, and Ford continues to have reliability problems, especially with its MyFord Touch system.

Audi’s luxurious, fun-to-drive, and fuel-efficient cars earned it the highest overall average road-test score of 83. Mercedes-Benz followed at 81, and Chrysler, Infin­iti, and Subaru tied at 80. Jeep has the lowest road-test score, dragged down by the Wrangler , which scored 20 points; the dated Compass and Patriot ; and the unimpressive new Cherokees . Lexus is the only brand to achieve an excellent overall reliability score, with the following six makes earning a very good rating. Only Cadillac, Dodge, and Ford had a below-average reliability score. In general, luxury brands outperformed their mainstream stablemates. In other words, Lexus outscored Toyota, Acura was higher than Honda, Audi outpaced Volks­wagen, and Infiniti fared far better than Nissan. The only exception was Cadillac, which scored the lowest of any of General Motors’ brands, based mainly on problems with the XTS’ CUE infotainment system. Log in to see the complete findings.

Editor's Note: New Lexus Prices - NADAguides Select Year & Model New and Used Lexus Prices Lexus Prices and Value: Lexus was founded in 1989 as the luxury division of Japanese car maker Toyota. Lexus produces cars and SUVs that are stylish and elegant. Lexus is also the first luxury car maker to produce a luxury hybrid SUV. Lexus is one of the top luxury brands associated with quality and reliability and continues to evolve with changing consumer needs while remaining dedicated to extreme comfort and reliability. See Lexus prices below or browse Lexus deals . Lexus Cars - New & Used Lexus Reviews, Pricing & Specs | Automotive.com Home | Cars | Lexus Lexus Cars In 1989, the Toyota Motor Corporation introduced the Lexus brand with the launch of the Lexus LS sedan. Toyota began developing Lexus in the early 1980s as a request by the chairman to produce a luxury vehicle to compete with the world's best. The fact that Honda launched the Acura brand in the mid-1980s, and that Nissan introduced plans for the Infiniti line further, spurred Toyota in its decision to create and launch an upmarket Lexus.

While theories about the name allude to a flawless combination of luxury and elegance or as blended nickname of "luxury exports" and "U.S.," the original development team states that it has no secret meaning. The company's choice of the word denoted an image of luxury combined with advanced technology. Initially, it was thought that the up-market sedan could be added to the top end of the Toyota line, but after carrying out much research, it was decided that it would be better to create a new line for this initial sedan with the goal of adding more models in the future. More on Lexus Lexus in America During the 1980s, export regulations between Japan and America were relaxed due to negotiations between the countries' governments. This led Japanese car manufacturers to look at how it could expand into the American market. Not only was Toyota planning expansion of its models under this brand, it was developing a new network of Lexus dealerships across America. From the start, Lexus was offered separately from Toyota vehicles, although many dealerships shared buildings and land with each other. The Lexus LS 400 sedan was a unique vehicle that did not share any components with Toyota vehicles. The extensive design and development of this vehicle ensured that Toyota had created something new.

It debuted in the midsize luxury sedan market and was positioned against Mercedes-Benz and BMW models, which were both significantly more expensive than the new offering from Toyota. As well as launching the LS 400, the Lexus ES 250 was also launched to offer a front-wheel drive sedan as well as the rear-wheel drive LS 400. With the successful launch in the U.S. in 1989, exports of Lexus were expanded to the U.K., Canada, Australia, and Switzerland. In 1991, the first sport coupe was called the SC 400 and launched with further growth and development planned for the brand. As the 1990s progressed, updated and new models were launched, including the LX 450 in 1996, the first sport utility vehicle (SUV) created by Lexus. This was followed in 1998 with the RX 300 that provided a luxury crossover SUV for those drivers who wanted an SUV, but didn't want or need the offroad capabilities.

Throughout the 2000s, Lexus continued to expand its markets, and in July 2005, became the first Japanese premium vehicle sold domestically in Japan. A year later, the first hybrid Lexus vehicle, the GS 450h sedan was introduced. Subsequent models have been developed as hybrid vehicles, including sedans and SUVs. In 2010, the first hatchback was launched in Europe with plans for the U.S. to do the same in upcoming years. Lexus Models The current Lexus lineup consists of 11 models. The five sedans are presented as the compact IS and HS, midsize ES and GS, and the full-size LS that's a flagship vehicle. Three SUVs are produced, which are the crossover RX series, the midsize GX, and the full-size LX. The only hatchback is the CT, and the high-performance F marquee division. All Lexus vehicles are named using two letters. The first designates its relative ranking and status in the range and the second letter refers to the car body style. The two letters are followed by three numbers, which give the engine displacement in liters of the vehicle multiplied by 100.

For example, the RX 350 designates the vehicle as the smallest SUV, the letter X designates the SUV line for Lexus, and it has an engine displacement of 3.5 L, which gives the number 350. Hybrids have a lower case "h" after the numbers. Lexus Products and Technologies From the beginning, Lexus was designed using around 500 specific criteria. These product standards are referred to as "Lexus Musts" and set the bar for the high level of performance, comfort, and aesthetics for the vehicle. Current models have a keyless entry feature using a smart key entry and starting system. Also, the multimedia features are constantly updated. With the latest RX models, a touchscreen display and a mouse-like controller were added to streamline navigation systems. Since inception, Lexus has partnered with premium audio providers to ensure that all vehicles are equipped with the best sounding audio equipment found. Acoustic glass was added to later models to reduce road noise.

Select a Lexus Model New 2017 Lexus Wagon Prices - NADAguides Select Year & Model New 2017 Lexus Wagon Prices Lexus Prices and Value: Lexus was founded in 1989 as the luxury division of Japanese car maker Toyota. Lexus produces cars and SUVs that are stylish and elegant. Lexus is also the first luxury car maker to produce a luxury hybrid SUV. Lexus is one of the top luxury brands associated with quality and reliability and continues to evolve with changing consumer needs while remaining dedicated to extreme comfort and reliability. See Lexus prices below or browse Lexus deals . 2017 Lexus IS - Luxury Sedan | Lexus.com ©2006-2017 Lexus, a Division of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. All information contained herein applies to U.S. vehicles only. Notice for Internet Explorer® Users To ensure your experience on lexus.com is as exceptional as our vehicles, we no longer support Internet Explorer® Version 10 and older. We do, however, support Version 11 and other browsers. Click here to upgrade your current browser or, to install a new one, select a link below.

Question: Lexus is the luxury vehicle division of what car maker?
Answer: Toyota